THE CHURCHES OF MACHAKOS

The varied architecture of the religious buildings in Machakos Diocese are the centre of many communities in a drought-prone area of Kenya. Simply constructed from local materials with essential ‘props’ to facilitate the function of the spaces – singing, preaching, communion and communal gatherings – these spaces lucidly define an architecture of orientation, light and material. Despite their simplicity and relatively poor construction, the buildings allow for naturalness, ambiguity and looseness. The harsh African sun is diffused, directed and controlled to allow for activity, and render emotion in the most primitive of buildings, expressing the importance of shelter and light for personal and community use.